Accor Prepares To Cross Fundraising Finish Line

Accor Prepares To Cross The Fundraising Finish Line In Fiji

10 NOVEMBER 2006: MORE than 100 Fijian children will gather on Denarau Island this afternoon to surprise exhausted volunteers sweating it out on the fifth and final day of Accor Hotels ‘Race to survive’ endurance event to raise money for the Cure Kids Fiji charity.

Around 60 competitors from Fiji, Australia and New Zealand will be cheered across the finish line today by grateful children and supporters after completing the five-day endurance race which to date has raised in excess of AU$200,000 (NZ$231,000).

‘Race To Survive’ spokesperson Sonya Rossiter says, “Our challengers have donated their time, energy and money for this event but have been rewarded with sun, smiles and support from both local and international guests while here in Fiji.

“After months of training and fundraising, our twelve teams have been stretched to their physical limits over a strenuous course involving swimming, mountain biking, outrigging and running, so as you can imagine it will be a true inspiration to see both the athletes and children’s smiling faces as they cross both the fundraising and finish line.”

Participants started the race at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Monday, with many arriving en masse on Sunday night from overseas.

“Day one of racing involved a lengthy run but concluded with a visit to the Paediatric Ward at Lautoka Hospital, a primary recipient of Cure Kids contributions who now receive basic life-saving medicines, equipment and education for Fijian medical staff,” said Ms Rossiter.

“This truly brought home to everyone what Accor’s ‘Race to Survive to Cure Kids’ is all about – the future of children in Fiji.”

The second day saw competitors endure a 20 kilometre mountain bike, heading off from Accor’s Mocambo Hotel through beautiful but challenging terrain with support all the way from locals and school children gathering roadside for a look at the curious cyclists.

Spirits remained high on day three as teams left Vuda Point for a three hour outrigging journey to Vomo Island where, despite having little sleep, visitors enjoyed an impromptu

Kava session, meke welcome and numerous Fijian games on the beach until the small hours. Choppy sea conditions and a 5am start greeted racers on day four before a sprint race to the smaller island of Vomo Lailai and outrigging back to Vuda point.

The final day of competition has included a 14km mountain bike to Port Vuda and 10 kilometres of outrigging from Port Vuda, before concluding with a 500 metre ocean swim from Aquilau Island to finish in style at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa.

The Accor network of hotels and resort in Fiji - which includes the Mercure Hotel Nadi, Mocambo Hotel, Vomo Island Resort managed by Sofitel and the Sofitel Fiji – teamed together to bring to life to Accor’s Race to Survive to aid Cure Kids Fiji’s critical medical research into childhood diseases.

The money raised will fund life-saving initiatives, medicines, equipment and medical staff training via an ongoing visiting doctors program in Fiji.

For more information, race event updates or to make a donation please visit www.curekidsfiji.com.

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